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Faculty

Dr. Lauren Hoffman
Director, Ed.D. Program

"Our doctoral program views education as an important location for challenging and transforming social ills and seeks to prepare transformative educational leaders who are deeply discerning, knowledgeable and critical."

Education is bigger than schools. You know that. You see it for yourself every day – the oppression and the marginalization that occur in our society. You know that you need to be a part of their rectification. But how?

With a critical view and explicit focus on social justice, Lewis' Educational Leadership for Teaching and Learning Doctoral Program is uniquely designed to prepare and empower leaders to address the most pressing educational, social and political issues of their neighborhood, community and society.

Lewis University's Educational Leadership Doctoral Program is 60 credit hours beyond a master's degree. This includes an emphasis in research, critical pedagogy, moral philosophy, history, cultural difference, curriculum theory, global issues, and critical policy studies - in which you will learn to move skillfully between theory, practice and politics. You will become a catalyst for change - using your knowledge, social justice training and new network connections to gain a voice in this battle to better the world.

Cohort Learning Format for Flexibility and Community

Through this cohort program, you will be joined on your educational journey with a consistent group of classmates for synergistic learning and support. Each semester, one class is held one night per week for three hours. The other class is held every other Saturday for six hours. Summer classes are offered in intensive two-week sessions.

Program Requirements

First Year Review: Held at the end of the first year of coursework, this evaluation provides early feedback to the doctoral student regarding their performance in the program, including areas of strength and areas for improvement.

Early Inquiry Assessment: This requirement provides feedback to the doctoral student about their developing research skills. The student will complete a project in the Conceptualizing and Designing Research course, scheduled in the first semester of their second year of coursework.

Qualifying Examination and Oral Defense: The purpose of this evaluation is to determine how the student has integrated the program's major theoretical concepts into the practice arena. It will be conducted at the end of the third year of coursework. A written examination will be developed by program faculty, and an oral defense of the examination is also required. A student who fails a qualifying examination more than once will not be permitted to continue work toward the doctorate, and admission to the doctoral program will be terminated. Successful completion of the qualifying exam and oral defense will admit the student to doctoral candidacy.

Dissertation and Dissertation Defense: The purpose of this requirement is to demonstrate the doctoral candidate's ability to conduct theoretically grounded, high-quality research. A doctoral candidate who has formally begun this phase will register for the Dissertation Seminar. Once a student has completed the Dissertation Seminar, the student must continue to register in course number 51-785 or 51-795 until completion of the dissertation.

Scholarship Opportunities

Applicant must currently be either a Teacher or Administrator in a Catholic School in the Chicagoland Area committed to School Leadership.

To qualify for one of these two scholarships, recipients must meet all criteria for admission into the Ed.D. program and have a recommendation from their current school principal and/or president. Finalists will be interviewed. Scholarship recipients will receive 50% off doctoral program tuition for the duration of the program. Download a scholarship application.

For more information, contact our Office of Graduate Admission at grad@lewisu.edu or (815) 836-5610.

Student Talk

Kristi Kelly

"Every Lewis professor brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table, confirming injustices I have seen and challenging me to question others in our educational system. I am becoming a better leader, and identifying practical ways I can give back to my community."

Student Talk

Hiedi Santucci Instructional and Behavior Analyst, SASED

"After searching for the right doctoral program for several years, Lewis' unique focus on social justice and transformative educational leadership drew me right in. I am learning about myself and becoming empowered to help marginalized students and parents fight for justice."